Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. John 18:12-14

Being the High Priest was a very big deal in the Old Testament. The High Priest needed to be free from sin and blemish so that they could offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. They were the representative of the people before God and through their sacrifices – made using animals – interceded for the nation.

Caiaphas – which is quite the ‘boss’ name – was the High Priest the year that Jesus was crucified.

Caiaphas is recorded having said quite a line. Whatever he thought he was saying at the time, he ended up being spot on with something else:

…it would be good if one man died for the people

A random throw away line, perhaps. Or maybe he was making quite the statement about another thing and he didn’t even realise what else he was saying. I don’t know.

But perhaps without really trying, Caiaphas manages to explain exactly what Jesus is doing in this very moment. Jesus is becoming the Passover lamb sacrifice for the people. He is not like a priest that offers up an animal. He offers up himself.

That this was said by the High Priest, Caiaphas, is quite fitting when we realise that Jesus’ work on the cross actually makes him the true High Priest. As it says in Hebrews:

… we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavenly realms, Jesus the Son of God…

Caiaphas was spot on, probably without knowing it.

But that’s how the Holy Spirit works.

When we pray and ask God to give us the right words to say, to be in step with his Spirit, or to speak the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11), then this is what can result.

We could give a word of encouragement to someone that has even more meaning attached to it than we know. We might be given guidance that has layers of information that the speaker doesn’t even realise exist. Someone might preach a sermon and speak into a context that they know nothing about at all.

This is the Spirit in action.

In the beginning… the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

If the Spirit can speak our world into existence, we shouldn’t be surprised at its speaking into a situation through those who are open to the Spirit’s work in their lives.

Amazed. Thankful. Humbled. Reverent.

But not surprised.

Jesus’ arrest is not just a random event. Caiaphas knew…even if he didn’t really.

Yours with layers…perhaps,

Alison